Thing 22: Staying Current

As I reflect on all that we have explored and learned I am very proud of myself. Now to keep on going is the "thing". I think the best way for me to continue my growth and expertise in this area is to pass on this knowledge to my colleagues. If I can train others and show them just a bit of the "stuff" we've learned that will help me maintain and go forward. I've already started doing this by each time I became so excited after learning a new "thing" I couldn't wait to share it with someone at school.

Thing 21: Student 2.0 tools

Two great tools!!! I copied and pasted websites and have just emailed them to the teachers at my school. Great way to organize. On the RPC each step of the process has additional links and pdf files to download and share. It will even email you reminders along the way. I will definitely share these sites with our students.

Thing 20: Books 2.0

Once again alot to explore. I loved the one on Facebook, WeRead. Joined that and will use that on Facebook to log what I've read and what I want to read. I still love holding a book in my hand to read. Magazines too. Kindle, is probably too expensive for the public school to purchase but I could see it inspiring some youths to read. We purchased playaways thinking this would really help our students who are struggling with reading. They would, if the students would come and check them out. I introduce them to a class they get all excited check them out and then I don't see them again. I still believe if reading is valued in the home then the students will come into the library and read.

Thing 19: Other Social Networks

I am a member of Facebook. I explored Web Junction, Ning and Gather. I did not join any of them just because I am a part of two many "things" right now. The one that did catch my eye was Teacher Librarian Ning.

Thing 18: Facebook

After starting this class in January it opened my world to a whole new bunch of tools at my disposal to use in the media center. Regrettably a number of them, Facebook, included is blocked from use at school. However, I started explorer these "things" with the idea not only how can they be used in my job but my personal life. I LOVE Facebook!! It has allowed me to connect with hs friends and see where they are now. I also like that I don't have to let anyone "in" that I don't want to. I've joined a number of joins and causes that are near and dear to me. I wouldn't feel comfortable connecting with my students, though. I am currently working on setting up another blog for our school and students. That tool is not blocked from use. 23 Things @ Neflin has been one of the best things to happen to me this year! It is right up there with knowing I still have a job next year!!

Thing 17: Podcasts

I explored Podcasts.com, YahooPodcast and Educational Podcast Directory. I was trying to find the one that would allow me access the easiest. I ended up joining Podcasts.com since they boast the largest collection. I think this is great for those who are audiotory or have a visual impairment. I am a visual learner and tend to tune out that which is spoken and goes on and on. I tried searching the ones that dealt with children's books. I found a multitude of book talks. We subscribe to teachingbooks.net and I find that a much better presentation on author talks since it is a collection of videos. At this time I am not inspired to create my own.

Thing 16: YouTube

Thing 15: Rollyo

Maybe I'm just not getting it. I don't really see how Rollyo would help us here in our media center. We already have a favorite of media online search tools the county has purchased for us that are used widely by our students. I will explore this one further again. How do others use it in their media center in the public schools?

Thing 14: Online Productivity Tools

WOW! I decided to use igoogle just because I already had a google account. I also loved Page Flakes. Twitter, Facebook right on one page. I loved that I could add the items that were important to me. I can see this as a great help in my personal life. Great organizational tool for students to keep track of their assignments. Our students use planners. But I bet if it was on the computer for them we would get an increase in the usage of this type of tool. Our students come from lower income so many of them wouldn't have acces to much technology. But in communities where students do these are a great tool. I have bookmarked my igoogle page to my favorites. I really didn't know these items existed. Thank goodness I decided to sign up for 23Things!!!

Thing 13: Thing 13

I really liked this site. I thought it was very useful to read what others had said about my book choices. Yes, there were comments made about the books I had added to my library for this activity. I thought it was also helpful to see if there were any events happening in my zip code. There weren't. I had to expand the search to 100miles. I didn't see any of Marion County Libraries listed on the map, though??? I liked that they called it the "Facebook for book lovers."

Thing 12: Wiki's

I posted a message on PBwiki's at 23things@neflin. We are halfway there! Learned lots. Trying to decide where to fit in all these new technologies in our daily use at school.

Thing 11: Social Media

I explored Mixx. Lots to read, that's for sure. I could see it's use in a high school setting with a debate class or one searching for current events and what others are saying. I feel it would definitely need to be guided by an adult so that kids realize these are just someone's opinion. I like the idea of voting and sharing that. Too high for the grades I instruct. Don't know if this is something I would really use .

Thing 10: Delicious

I love this idea of all my favorite bookmarks in one place. That means no matter where I am I won't have to try and remember a site.

Thing 9: Sharing Slides, Photos...

This was another easy to manage item on flickr badge. The only thing that is driving me nuts are all the passwords and usernames to remember. I do have them written down but still.. Also I am finding that since I've learned all these new "things" I'm having trouble remember where everything was. I've tried to bookmark all that I believe I will put to use at home. But in our county many of these sites are off limits. So if I'm not able to really put these things to use on a daily basis I will not retain them. I really liked those online image generators the best!

Thing 8: Communication Web.2.0 Style

Email at our school is used all day long to communicate. However, there are still those who don't check as often as they should and miss out on a number of opportunities. We even check attendance and have to check our email to confirm during period changes. I don't IM. I either call or leave a message. I have attended a webinar before and loved it. I could take the class right at my desk and use the phone to ask questions. It was a bit difficult to log on at first.

Thing 7: Online Image Generators

Now I know how they send out those funny messages and where they are created. This is really opening up a new world to me. But it does take alot of time.

Thing 6: Flickr Mashup

This was the first "thing" I completed in less than 15 minutes!! Yahoo! It must be getting easier. This was cute. I can't believe how many photos are out there!! Yesterday I spent hours searching.

Thing 5: Flickr

Another great tool to use. Great way to show photos and view photos. I've been exploring this site for hours to cover this "thing". I found photos taken by others of my old neighborhood. I couldn't find the blog this photo button. I realized I had to log out and log in again and then it appeared.

Horizon Media Center

Horizon Media Center
Originally uploaded by marie23things

Learned how to use flickr.com

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Thing 4: RSS Feeds

I understand what RSS feeds are and how it allows the news to come to us. However, I'm having difficulty adding the feeds to my blog account. I was able to set up an account on Bloglines without any glitches. What I having trouble with is viewing these sites from this account at blogger. Any suggestions??

Thing 3: Blog Search Tools

I am amazed how many blogs are out there and how many are blogging on a daily basis. The amount of time that people spend blogging and I didn't realize money could be made from it. I get it that blogging is an open journal for anyone to read. Not sure yet if I'm sold on the idea, though. It figures that google has it's own search engine for blogs, too.

Thing 2 Web 2.0

I decided to join this activity to keep abreast of the latest in media services. I'm always looking for what's new and how it applies to my position as a media specialist. I enjoy learning new things and challenging myself. This is surely a challenge. I hope to learn how Web 2.0 and all it entails can be utilized with students/staff to make learning occur.

Thing 1: Creating My Blog

I am still in the process of discovering all I can add to my blog page. I had a bit of frustration getting started since my ibook at home is ancient. I've worked out a solution and am now on a roll with it. I also attended NEFLIN'S Web 2.0 a couple of weeks ago at the Marion County Public Library and am excited about applying all that was discussed that day.